DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a strict set of rules. You're free to RP however you like, within the rules of the DM of the RP you've joined. This is just a basic set of guidelines, for basic RPs.
Introduction:
RPing is very much like writing a story, except with several co-authors. You're free to post your character doing whatever they like, within reason. A good roleplay will likely last for many pages and have several participants.
Just like a co-authored story, you must work with the other players. There's nothing wrong with playing the mean guy or the incredibly smart nerd, but make sure to add some realism to your character, even if it is a fantasy RP.
Many good RPs don't wind up finishing, but don't let this discourage you from starting a RP of your own. See examples here, here, and here.
If there are several RPs going on at once in the forum, it may be wise to wait to start a new one. Try making a poll to see what kind of RP people may be interested in at the moment.
And always, always remember to have fun!
1. Detailed Posts
I recommend to not post something if it's only one sentence, or just a few words of dialogue. Not only is this annoying, but it doesn't really serve any purpose. You don't have to post everytime someone else does, only when it's relevant to the plot. This is annoying to the other players and the DM, because it's really not fun to sign on the UESP and see six pages of one-word sentences to read through.
Examples:
DO NOT:
DO:John looked up and said "Hi."
This doesn't mean you have to write mile-long posts, either. As long as you paint a clear picture in your fellow RPers' minds of what your character is doing, your mission is accomplished.John looked around the room, sneering distastefully. He sat down in a chair and crossed his arms. As the girl next to him waved timidly at him, he growled. "Hi," the grumpy man said with an annoyed eyebrow raise.
2. God-RPing
God-RPing/modding is when you control the plot, NPCs, or other characters' actions without the DM's/other player's consent. This can make tensions arise OOC and is pretty much annoying for everyone. This is one of the most frequently encountered problems, and is a major no-no.
DO NOT:
John pinned down Jack and held a knife to his throat, after quickly shooting the two policemen nearby.
DO:
The exception to this is when the DM says it's ok, This can also hold true for describing areas, new NPCs, etc. If it's a matter of skills vs. skills, you can roll an online die. For example, if John wants to pin down Jack and this is a combat oriented RP, you can roll John's strength vs. Jack's dexterity. That way, it's not only more realistic, but it can solve any problems.John leapt at Jack with his knife, attempting to push the other man down.
3. Mary Sues/Gary Sues
A Mary Sue/Gary Sue is a character with practically no monumental flaws. They are also physically perfect and have extremely well-rounded skills, and can almost never fail or do anything wrong. This is annoying and unrealistic, and generally arises from the player's own fantasies. An example of this is could be Edward from Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight." He's perfect in pretty much every way, as is his werewolf counterpart. Perfect things have a knack for getting on one's nerves.
DO NOT:
Name: Andrea Colombo
Gender: Female
Age: 16
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Height: 5’11
Weight: Hmm…….I’m not sure how much her real-life counterpart weighs. Put it this way, this looks great in a bikini.
Physical Appearance: Long, straightened black hair. She is fair skinned, but gains a tan very easily during the summer time. A virtually ideal body. She is very good-looking, and she damn well knows it.
Uniform: Short sleeved shirt with a short skirt
Badges: Badge of Athletics
Stars: 31
Bio: Her parents have always spoiled her since birth, but they never really paid attention to her. She has attended summer camps since she was a toddler, and has been attending Camp Elk since she was fourteen. She is in no way arrogant, however. She has been part of many romantic relationships. Her two best friends, Sarah Pilscenski and Ali Warren, had gone to Camp Elk up until last year. The three were known as the Angel Faces. But, Sarah and Ali both moved the previous year, leaving Andrea without her two closest friends at Camp Elk. She hates the Camp and can’t wait until the summer is over so that she can go home.
Personality: Smart, sarcastic, athletic, boy-loving, and popular. She knows very well that she is good looking, and she often teases unattractive boys with her looks. She is often very moody. She is by no a means a girly girl, and often hung out with guys instead of girls because of the fact that she found girls to be annoying.
DO:
Even though this character is attractive and intelligent, she has a distinguishable personality and biography.
Name: Suzie Ashton
Gender: Female
Age: 16
Hair Color: Brunette
Eye Color: Green
Height: 5'9''
Weight: 49kg
Physical Appearance: Extremely good lookingLight build, but not weak. Shoulder length hair. Never wears makeup (she doesn't need it)
Uniform: Short sleeved shirt and short shorts.
Badges: Umm... None.
Stars: Also none.
Bio: Growing up in the suburbs of Birmingham, Suzie learned from a very early age how boring life could be. Her mother was a librarian and her father a box inspector, and they were too busy with their jobs to do anything with her. She spent most of her time poitering in the shopping centre, so her parents finally looked up from their thick rimmed glasses and drafted her into the scouts. She hates it there, and makes a point of never making a positive contribution to the group. She was sent to the camp in the hope that she would shape up and change her attitude.
Personality: Lively and highly strung. She is quite intelligent, but too rebellious to put it to good use. She mostly does not get along with the scout leaders.
Make sure to avoid creating an Anti-Sue as well. An Anti-Sue is the opposite of a Mary-Sue and is basically imperfect in every way, with way more weaknesses than strengths. Find a balance.
Example of an Anti-Sue:
4. Realismname:bob
gender:male
weight:250 lb
hair:blue(died)
age:14
eyes:green
height:4 foot 5
looks:extremely fat:bright blue hair(died):shorts and t-shirt:ugly
personalty: he is a big spoiled jerk, his parents are really rich so he eats and plays video games all day and gets pretty much whatever he wants,he was forced to come here because his parents said that "you need to leave that couch" so he is bragging to the other campers pretty much all the time and if they are doing a activity like going swimming he will ask stupid questions like "is there sharks in that pond?" he treats every one like "lesser beings" because they don't have as much money as him. he also believes in things like Santa, the tooth fairy, etc.
badges:fishing, to fat to complete any others
Aiming for realism in RPing should be one of the main things to focus on. The main idea is of course, to always have fun, but realistic characters and actions add to fun. Just because you may RP in a world with magic, fantasy, etc., doesn't mean you can sacrifice all realism. So don't do things that most likely wouldn't be able to happen in the world of your RP, even if your character is very powerful.
DO NOT:
John leapt over the city's wall with a single bound, leaving the perusing hounds behind. He ran and was several miles away from the city within a few moments.
DO:
5. General RPing Terms, DM Tips and Helpful SitesJohn hurriedly planted a bomb at the bottom of the city's gate and ran as fast as he could back into the city. It exploded within a few moments, blowing back the pursuing hounds and bursting the wall. He ran past, slightly singed, but mostly unharmed.
RP Glossary:
-Anti-Sue: The opposite of a Mary Sue, e.g., unperfect in every way.
-DM: Dungeons and Dragons term meaning Dungeon Master, but used in RPs to describe the person who started the roleplay and/or runs the plot.
-Godmodding: Taking control of the plot/other characters without consent from the DM/other player.
-GM: General Master/manager, same thing as DM. Coined by King Acunasti.
-Gary Sue: Male character who is basically perfect in all ways.
-IC: In character, which means posting/talking from your character's viewpoint.
-Mary Sue: Female character who is basically perfect in all ways.
-NPC: Non-playable character. The people the DM makes in the RP who guide the story along, sell the PCs stuff, etc.
-OOC: Out of character. This is when you're talking as yourself and not as your character.
-PC: Player character. The characters the participants of the RP control.
-Role-Playing: The concept where one plays games with others by assuming a 'role'.
-Ubering: Making insanely skilled characters that can basically never lose a fight.
Helpful Websites:
Medieval Name Generator
Elder Scrolls Name Generator
Is Your Character A Mary-Sue?
Elder Scrolls RP Tips
Battle RP Tips
Tips for Aspiring DMs:
Be creative when you're making an RP. Think of an idea that will appeal to the people you're targeting. Don't make it too hard or too easy. Use plot twists and new NPCs to add interest to the RP. And remember, the goal is always to have fun!
If anyone has comments/feedback to add, please do so. If you need any more help feel free to PM me.
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